Should we feed our pets bugs in the future?
Five million more homes now have more than one dog than there were ten years ago; in contrast, the number of families with just one dog increased by 4.8 million. Furthermore, Statista reports that the percentage of UK homes with pets hit an all-time high of 59 percent in 2020–2021, most likely as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and more time spent at home.
Pet food has become increasingly important and dominant on supermarket shelves as more people welcome animals into their homes and search for the ideal diet for their friends.
Lovebug, a pet food manufacturer that makes cat food based on insects, was interviewed by New Food to learn more about what customers want to see in pet food and the potential health benefits of this type of food.
Using bugs as pet food
Lovebug was created and approved by the Waltham Petcare Science Institute and was introduced by the pet care corporation Mars Petcare in association with sustainability entrepreneurs Futerra.
Deri Watkins from Mars Petcare and Solitaire Townsend from Futerra gave remarks on the Lovebug launch, noting that it “marked an important milestone in the journey for pet parents looking for delicious and nutritious food with a smaller environmental pawprint.”
The two think that one of the key motivations for Lovebug is that, in addition to choosing sustainably for themselves, pet owners also want to do the same for their animals. For every kilogramme of protein, insects consume 80% less land than beef, claims Lovebug. Additionally, the bugs are fed only surplus
Though it would take some time for people in Western societies to accept the idea of using insects as food, there is momentum in this direction. It’s reasonable to argue that when it comes to sustainable food choices, the plant-based industry is arguably more well-liked, but the pet industry may be a good place for the insect trend to pick up more steam. Lovebug explained to New Food that cats cannot survive on plant-based diets since they are obligate carnivores.
Black soldier fly larvae are Lovebug’s primary ingredient and the primary source of protein in the product. Additionally, the business claims that it contains wheat and maize, which provide fibre and carbs.
“There are several reasons why using black soldier fly larvae for Lovebug is an excellent choice… one of which is their ability to be raised on a variety of food industry by-products that would otherwise be thrown away.”
It has been demonstrated that insects are just as nutrient-dense and a good source of amino acids and macronutrients as conventional protein sources like chicken, beef, and fish.
Moreover, Watkins and Townsend asserted that “insects are hypoallergenic, meaning that they’re great to animals with sensitivities, unlike beef, dairy, or fish.”
“The likelihood of triggering intolerances is significantly lower with insect-based pet diets, thus stomach and digestive problems are less of a concern. Lovebug was created after years of study, development, and intense devotion to ensure that it is safe for both cats and the environment.
What customers desire
According to a Lovebug poll of cat owners, 86% of respondents stated they place a high value on sustainability, and 2/5 of pet owners reported having already changed their shopping habits to be more environmentally friendly (ie buying sustainable products or avoiding unnecessary plastic).
Watkins and Townsend told New Food that “there are lots of things to consider when choosing food for your pet,” in addition to their environmental credentials. Regarding the brand itself, you should constantly confirm if a qualified nutritionist is employed by them.
Furthermore, the pair emphasised the significance of ensuring that the recipe was formulated by a seasoned pet food formulator possessing specialised knowledge on the nutritional composition of raw materials and the creation of balanced and nutritious meals. They continued by saying that in order to guarantee the safety of the animals and the owners, the pet food manufacturer must also have effective quality control procedures in place during the manufacturing process.
Lovebug concluded by saying, “One of the major themes influencing changes in the pet food industry is humanization, which involves a greater emphasis on our pets’ health as well as an understanding of the long-term environmental effects that pet food can have. In response to the growing interest in the health advantages of insect-based protein in human diets, we are investigating the best ways to incorporate insects into our pets’ meals.